HMV Model 157 Reproducer

[Frisco The Beagle]

Picked up an HMV 157 today from a craigslist ad (woohoo!). It has some issues that will need to be addressed (homemade crank handle, the motor "clunks") but the cabinet (mahogany) is in nice condition. The machine winds and runs, but plays extremely quiet.

Attached are some pictures of the reproducer. It looks nothing like the reproducers on HMV 157's I've seen on-line. What is it? Is it right for this machine?

I have not yet taken the reproducer apart to see what it looks like inside. The thumb screw for the needle was apparently lost somewhere along the way, and a sheet metal screw was forced in, so that will also need to be corrected. I am thinking this may be part of the reason it doesn't play very loud (?).

Thanks for any info you can share!

[VanEpsFan1914]

Goodness, what a mess.

I don't know if that's an original HMV reproducer but I know that you are missing the needle bar for it, whatever it is, and that has a lot to do with its near-silent operation. There should be a piece of metal coming out of the top of the needle chuck & punching the middle of a diaphragm, making a sort of air-pump and feeding the horn that way.

This thing is going to be incredibly loud when it is ready to play, so I hope you can get that reproducer fixed.

[gramophone-georg]

Pretty sure that should have an HMV No. 5. If you need one PM me.

[epigramophone]

Your HMV157 has the soundbox equivalent of a frankenphone. The earliest machines had the HMV No.5 soundbox, but this was soon replaced by the No.5a.

[Inigo]

For what we see, the reproducer is not the right one for this machine. It should be an hmv no. 5/5A/5B, or even ano. 16. The no. 5 types are otherwise easy to get.
But the reproducer you have may be a rarity in itself. It seems one of those models with the needlebar concealed inside, just behind that (false) Nipper facing plate. You'll never know until you disassemble it... Be careful, for it seems to be made of mazak alloy, which is fragile and could crumble in your hands of it has suffered the typical mazak degradation... It seems solid and that has aged well, though... When repaired it could perform greatly, not in this machine, though, which needs the much more powerful and detailed sound of the orthophonic type of reproducer Kevin's above.

[CarlosV]

The soundbox resembles a German one I have, except that mine has a bayonet fitting and this one is missing the needle bar, I don't think there is anything concealed there, Inigo. Someone stuck a picture of Nipper on it - the one I have has a plain bare metal surface underneath the mica diaphragm. If you can find a replacement needlebar, not an easy task, this soundbox can sound quite well, but as Inigo says, the machine requires a more modern soundbox like the 5a or 5b.

[Frisco The Beagle]

Everyone thank you so much for the replies! I am feeling some embarrassment as I thought the reproducer was "okay", and perhaps just needed some adjustment

I will probably be taking off the motor board today, so stay tuned - who knows what other creative repairs may be lurking...

[OrthoFan]

Everyone thank you so much for the replies! I am feeling some embarrassment as I thought the reproducer was "okay", and perhaps just needed some adjustment

I will probably be taking off the motor board today, so stay tuned - who knows what other creative repairs may be lurking...

If possible, definitely invest in an HMV #5 series sound box. The HMV 157 was the mid-size model in the Gramophone Co's range that used the design features incorporated into the Victor Orthophonic Victrola. I believe they were introduced in the UK in 1927(?) While classified and advertised by the Gramophone Co. as a "Re-Entrant" style gramophone, the 157's exponentially tapered horn was divided into two sections before joining at the mouth--instead of four. SEE: viewtopic.php?f=2&t=7373

Nonetheless, the 157 is capable of producing amazing fidelity, and while somewhat lacking in bass response, compared to the larger re-entrant models, will give you a full, room filling sound when playing a good condition electrical recording. Much of this, though, is contingent upon the use of the (HMV 5-series) sound box, which was specifically designed for use with this gramophone. Here's an interesting video comparing the 157 with its larger brother, the 163 -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqAzIXnYL4I

OrthoFan

[Frisco The Beagle]

I disassembled the soundbox and the photos tell the story. It is an old Sonora body. The needle bar had been sawn off. The Nipper picture was scraped off the label of one of the records that came with the machine, and then put on a piece of plexiglass, all of which was just stuffed into the Sonora body. No wonder it was soooo quiet. I swear though, there was music when the seller played a record on it.

I was able to get a No. 5B soundbox from a forum member (Thanks George!), received it today and put it on the machine. Wow - it is not quiet any longer, and sounds just great.

Up next is a good cleaning for the motor. Hopefully no more surprises (hamster wheel instead of canned springs?).

If possible, can someone send a photo or two showing some detail of the lid prop/catch for these machines? There is simply a bolt (which does not look correct) as a pivot in this one now, and the construction of the entire thing looks like there should be some other parts. It does not "catch" and hold the lid up very well as it is right now.

[gramophone-georg]

I disassembled the soundbox and the photos tell the story. It is an old Sonora body. The needle bar had been sawn off. The Nipper picture was scraped off the label of one of the records that came with the machine, and then put on a piece of plexiglass, all of which was just stuffed into the Sonora body. No wonder it was soooo quiet. I swear though, there was music when the seller played a record on it.

I was able to get a No. 5B soundbox from a forum member (Thanks George!), received it today and put it on the machine. Wow - it is not quiet any longer, and sounds just great.

Up next is a good cleaning for the motor. Hopefully no more surprises (hamster wheel instead of canned springs?).

If possible, can someone send a photo or two showing some detail of the lid prop/catch for these machines? There is simply a bolt (which does not look correct) as a pivot in this one now, and the construction of the entire thing looks like there should be some other parts. It does not "catch" and hold the lid up very well as it is right now.

Damn... Mica Monster is slippin on the job!